Finance Operations Team Leader

C6D3D605-Ec16-4Aa9-8F1B-5E4Bd75Bc426; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 700 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance company in South Africa is seeking a financial manager to lead the operational and statutory financial functions. This role involves ensuring financial integrity, regulatory compliance, and providing strategic financial support. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree, 3-5 years in finance (insurance preferred), and strong leadership skills. Responsibilities include managing financial operations, preparing audits, and contributing to financial management systems.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years’ experience in finance, preferably in insurance or financial services.
• CIMA or ACCA qualifications are preferred.
• Experience managing a team.

Responsibilities

• Manage the operational finance function for the insurance business.
• Oversee daily financial operations including accounts payable/receivable.
• Prepare and manage annual financial statements and audits.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Leadership

Financial modelling

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

ERP systems (e.g., Ski, Tial, Sage, CIMS)

Advanced Excel

Job description

Introduction

Guardrisk is the undisputed market leader in cell captive insurance and risk solutions.

We are renowned for our innovative approach to cell captive structures and other alternative risk transfer solutions for our clients.

Guardrisk offers clients custom designed cover and is registered in South Africa as an insurer for all statutory classes of non‑life and life insurance business.

Disclaimer

As an applicant, please verify the legitimacy of this job advert on our company career page.

Role Purpose

To lead and manage the operational and statutory financial functions of the short‑term insurance business, ensuring financial integrity, regulatory compliance, and strategic financial support to business units and the group.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in finance, preferably in insurance or financial services
• CIMA, ACCA experience
• Strong understanding of short‑term insurance operations and regulatory environment
• Management of a team
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Ski, Tial, Sage, CIMS)
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills

Duties & Responsibilities

Operational Finance: Management of the accounting function for Guardrisk finance operations. Management of subsidiary companies’ legal entity financial accounts. Accurately, efficiently and timely capturing and reporting of transactions. Review and / or prepare payments documents and obtain the necessary source documentation and authorisation to effect payments timely and with the determined service level agreement levels. Review and approve the general ledger journal allocations based on levels of authority and policy. Review all documentation to ensure that the correct level of authority has authorised the document and raise any exceptions with the relevant stakeholderpile and review monthly and year‑end reconciliations of their portfolio of clients. Identify and report respective accounting or reporting issues. Investigate and resolve any outstanding queries in relation to accounting issues. Finance support and management / servicing by working closely with all departments. Meeting company and client accounting, payment and reporting deadlines. Contribute to the enhancement of systems and processes issues in order to enhance financial management. Contribute to continuous innovation through the development, sharing and implementation of new ideas. Prepare and provide necessary documentation to complete a timely audit both for client and Guardrisk. Oversee, manage and control the daily insurance financial operations including accounts payable / receivable, cash‑flow management, reconciliations and balance sheet reconciliations. Manage the preparation and analysis of monthly management accounts and operational performance reports, relating to operational finance. Support the Creditors and Debtors Control Function and effectively ensure timely accounting and reporting. Monitor and optimise expense control, cost allocations, and profitability metrics. Support underwriting and claims departments with financial insights and reporting. Implement and maintain internal controls and financial procedures. Drive automation and efficiency in Debtors and Creditors processes using ERP systems, and financial modelling, dashboards and analytics.

Statutory Accounting: Coordinate and manage external audits and liaise with auditors. Prepare annual financial statements and quarterly financial packs (if required). Maintain accurate financial records and ensure timely reporting to regulators (if required).

Leadership

Manage a team of accountants and provide assistance, support and transfer of skills and training. Provide financial insights to support strategic decision‑making. Lead and develop the team, fostering a high‑performance culture. Collaborate with senior management to align financial goals with business strategy. Effectively lead and contribute to the Guardrisk‑wide team culture. Participate and contribute to a culture that builds rewarding relationships, facilitates feedback and provides exceptional client service within the organization. Develop and maintain productive and collaborative working relationships with peers and stakeholders. Contribute to continuous innovation through the development, sharing and implementation of new ideas and initiatives. Create a positive work climate and culture to energise employees, give meaning to work, minimise work disruption and maximise employee productivity. Demonstrate exemplary leadership behaviour, through personal involvement, commitment and dedication in support of organisational values. Drive a culture that guides and directs best practice, fostering an environment of continuous learning, improvement and cohesiveness. Enable a learning and growth culture whereby information regarding successes, issues, trends and ideas are actively shared between team members. Effectively manage performance within the team to ensure business objectives are achieved. Encourage innovation, change agility and collaboration within the team. Share and transfer product, process and systems knowledge to colleagues.

Skills & Competencies

Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities. Effective management and results‑driven. Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills. High attention to detail and accuracy. Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines. Leadership and team management capabilities. Business Acumen: Understands how the business operates, what the key issues and risks are that drive business success, and how they impact the commercial viability of potential ventures and the profitability of the business unit.

Responsible for the execution of specific projects impacting the delivery of strategy. Prioritise the business interests of GGI and invest in the success of the group by aligning effort across divisions. Leverage off internal and external relationships to achieve overall company strategy.

Stakeholder Commitment: Anticipate, meet and exceed internal and external stakeholder’s needs by creating long‑lasting relationships that support the GGI value proposition, support the financial and non‑financial functions within Guardrisk and ensure a value‑adding client focus approach.

Impact and Influence: Persuade, convince, influence and inspire others, both within GGI and externally to win support, loyalty and gain commitment to the purpose of Guardrisk. Drive for results: Drive a sense of urgency, focus, accountability, agility and execution to deliver business results and ad‑hoc projects.

Oversee and monitor the implementation of strategic projects as well as areas highlighted for improvement by internal and external auditors. Self‑awareness and insight: Manages self and relationships with others effectively, deals with ambiguity, uncertainty and pressure, and provides perspective in difficult situations. Motivating and inspiring team: Actively leads change, does what is right for the business and drives continuous improvement through innovation. Growing talent: Takes responsibility for own development; and actively mentors, coaches and develops talent in others.

Builds leadership strength for Guardrisk by providing opportunities and experiences to develop skills, competencies and business knowledge.